Wait begins for Ombudsman verdict on P3.8M 'missing' DPWH fund
The wait is officially on for the Ombudsman verdict on the over P3.8 million infrastructure fund reported to the Anti-Graft Body to have "evaporated" into thin air.
The complainant, woman contractor Elena Malaga earlier lodged criminal and administrative raps with two top officials of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as respondents alongside the third co-respondent, Chief of Staff of Senator Sergio Osmeña III. The charges were courtesy of an unrealized infrastructure project supposedly all set for awarding.
Malaga aided by counsel, lawyer Cornelio Panes sought answers as to why government funds were suddenly made unavailable for one DPWH project.
"What happened to the money?," Malaga repeatedly asked.
The News Today (TNT) learned that both parties have since submitted respective arguments and counter-arguments before the Ombudsman with Malaga expressing confidence that justice will be served on her complaint.
Alongside the complaints came the request for the preventive suspension the two DPWH Western Visayas executives, District Engineer Teodoro Castillo and Accountant Conrado Sorongon Jr. The duo's co-respondent is John De Jesus, top aide for Senator Osmeña III.
Malaga's complaint stemmed from one infrastructure project entered into and eventually won valued over P3.8 million. Yet as the period for project awarding neared, none was made later discovered by Malaga to have been reportedly caused by a verbal instruction from said respondent-Senator's chief of staff.
"District Engineer Castillo did not give any reason for his refusal to award the P3,857.324.20 contract to me. Actually, I discovered that District Engineer Castillo was communicating with the Chief of Staff of Sen. Osmeña," Malaga in her sworn statement said.
Excerpts of the said letter addressed to the Senator though stated Castillo's acknowledgment of a previous letter that requests withholding of the project's awarding.
Further still is yet another evidence which Malaga submitted alongside documents and letters that proved her allegations among which the January 25th letter of the District Engineer addressed to the Senator himself.
"In compliance with your verbal instruction relative to the funding source of the projects covered by SARO Nos. A-05-04773 and ROCS 05-05380 dated October 7 and November 9, 2005, respectively, funded from RA 9206 as Re-enacted Continuing Appropriations, attached herewith is the certification that the corresponding funds are no longer available," excerpts of the letter as presented to the Ombudsman stated.
"District Engineer Castillo has no moral duty and obligation to abide by the instructions of a mere chief of staff of a senator because as District Engineer his bible is RA 9184 and not the chief of staff's verbal instruction," Malaga continued.
The accountant for his part was charged for what Malaga said was the commission of perjury when he issued a certification that the P3.8 million was not obligated.
"Therefore, District Engineer Castillo and Accountant Sorongon conspired with John Osmeña de Jesus in manipulating the appropriations," she argued.
The request for preventive suspension was made amidst the complainant-contractor's concern of influence and the threat it poses to the safety and integrity of the records and other evidences.